Online estate agent Rightmove questioned 21,000 people, asking them to rate factors such as community spirit, cultural activities and local services.

The average asking price of a home in the estuary town is £386,613, which is a 2% increase on this time last year and £82,552 higher than the national average asking price of £304,061.

Valerie Morgan, chair of Leigh-on-Sea town council, says: “Leigh is a very pleasant place to live, we are very close to the sea and there are plenty of opportunities for people to get out and get some fresh air. We’re all quite friendly here. People like to pass the time of day with one another, rather than ignore each other.”

She adds: “There is also quite a large dog walking community down here so there’s lots of social interaction and people stopping and chatting to each other. We’ve got a great micro-climate in this corner of the country, the weather is so lovely.”